Lead
Samsung is reportedly considering a return to the mechanical variable-aperture camera first seen on the 2018 Galaxy S9, after a South Korean report tied the move to Apple’s plans for the iPhone 18. ETNews said on Feb 9, 2026 that Samsung has asked multiple camera-module partners to develop variable-aperture hardware, and that the company is “strongly committed” to reintroducing the feature. If true, the revival would mark a reversal from the Galaxy S10 lineup in 2019, which abandoned the dual-aperture element. The idea appears prompted by competition with Apple rather than purely internal R&D timelines.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung first shipped mechanical variable aperture on the Galaxy S9+ in 2018 with two settings (f/1.5 and f/2.4); the feature disappeared on the Galaxy S10 (2019).
- ETNews reported on Feb 9, 2026 that Samsung has requested development of variable-aperture technology from several camera module partners.
- The ETNews piece links Samsung’s renewed interest to Apple’s rumored plan to use variable aperture in the iPhone 18 series, possibly limited to iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- Manufacturing improvements over recent years reportedly lowered cost and reduced module size, making variable aperture more feasible inside slim flagship designs.
- Samsung’s move follows other product-level shifts tied to Apple trends, including reports that Samsung adjusted Galaxy S26 plans in response to iPhone pricing and features.
- The claim that Samsung is “strongly committed” comes from the ETNews report and remains unconfirmed by Samsung; Apple has not officially announced variable aperture for iPhone 18.
Background
In 2018 Samsung equipped the Galaxy S9+ with a mechanical aperture that could switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4. The hardware allowed the phone to gather more light in dim scenes at the wider setting and reduce light in very bright scenes at the narrower setting, which helped exposure and depth behavior. Despite the technical novelty, Samsung omitted the feature on the succeeding Galaxy S10 family in 2019 and has not offered it regularly since.
Most smartphone cameras use a fixed physical aperture and rely on sensor sensitivity, multiple exposures and computational photography to manage light. Variable physical apertures are mechanically more complex and historically thicker, factors that made them harder to fit into ever-slimmer flagship phones. Over the past several years suppliers and module makers have trimmed component cost and mechanical height, shifting the trade-offs between optical flexibility and design constraints.
Main Event
The ETNews report published Feb 9, 2026 states that Samsung has requested multiple camera-module partners develop variable-aperture technology for future Galaxy devices. According to the report, the request is broad and framed as a strategic renewal rather than an isolated experiment. The article describes Samsung as “strongly committed” to bringing variable aperture back, though Samsung has not issued a public confirmation.
ETNews links the renewed interest directly to Apple rumors. Multiple rumor cycles have suggested Apple is evaluating variable-aperture components for the upcoming iPhone 18 family, with some outlets naming the iPhone 18 Pro Max as the most likely candidate for the capability. The ETNews piece frames Samsung’s action as a response aimed at preserving camera competitiveness versus an Apple-led shift in flagship features.
Samsung has also been reported to make other product changes recently with Apple in mind. Leaks and reporting earlier this year indicated Samsung adjusted Galaxy S26 upgrade plans and pricing considerations partially in response to iPhone moves, though those changes reportedly had mixed results. The variable-aperture reporting is another example where supplier relationships and competitive signaling intersect.
Analysis & Implications
If Samsung does reintroduce mechanical variable aperture, the immediate technical benefit is greater exposure control at the sensor level. That can simplify some high-contrast scenes and allow the sensor to directly control incoming light without relying solely on shorter exposures or computational tone mapping. For users, the most noticeable outcomes would be improved handling of extreme highlights and slightly different depth-of-field behavior when the aperture narrows.
From a product strategy angle, reintroducing a visible mechanical camera innovation signals differentiation amid a period of incremental sensor and software gains. Even if the functional benefits are modest, the marketing value of unique hardware can be significant at the high end of the market. However, re-adding mechanical elements increases sourcing complexity and may raise unit cost unless suppliers have materially driven costs down, as ETNews suggests.
For the broader market, an Apple-supported adoption of variable aperture would create additional pressure on Android OEMs to match or respond. That dynamic can accelerate component investment from suppliers but also prompt OEMs to prioritize certain differentiators—optical hardware, computational workflows, or pricing—based on perceived customer value. Samsung’s request to multiple partners suggests it seeks options rather than committing to a single supplier or design.
Comparison & Data
| Model / Category | Aperture options | Introduced |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S9+ | Dual mechanical: f/1.5 / f/2.4 | 2018 |
| Most modern smartphones (typical) | Fixed aperture (commonly f/1.7–f/1.9) | Ongoing |
| Apple iPhone 18 (rumor) | Variable aperture (reportedly limited to Pro Max) | 2026 (rumored) |
The table shows the S9+ as a rare example of mechanical aperture switching in mainstream phones. Since 2019, OEMs have preferred fixed apertures plus computational methods. ETNews and other rumor outlets claim Apple may reintroduce variable aperture in 2026, which would make this optical approach relevant again for flagship competition.
Reactions & Quotes
Reporting and industry observers have framed the move as competitive signaling more than a purely technical decision. Below are brief excerpts placed in context.
“Samsung has requested the development of variable aperture technology from multiple camera module partners and is strongly committed to the feature’s return.”
ETNews (report)
This phrasing is the core claim from the South Korean outlet; it attributes intent but is not a direct corporate announcement. ETNews did not publish detailed supplier names or a product timeline tied to that request.
“Apple is reportedly preparing variable-aperture hardware for the iPhone 18 series, which may push rivals to follow suit.”
9to5Google (report)
9to5Google summarized industry reporting and framed Samsung’s request as a reaction to those Apple rumors. The outlet highlighted that the rumored iPhone change could be limited to the Pro Max model.
Unconfirmed
- The extent of Samsung’s commitment is based on ETNews reporting and has not been confirmed by an official Samsung statement.
- Apple’s plan to include variable aperture in the iPhone 18 series (especially the Pro Max) is based on leaks and industry reports and has not been officially announced by Apple.
- Specific supplier identities, production timelines and pricing impacts for a revived Samsung variable-aperture module were not published in the cited report.
Bottom Line
ETNews’ Feb 9, 2026 report, echoed by outlets such as 9to5Google, places variable-aperture hardware back on Samsung’s roadmap largely as a competitive reaction to rumored Apple plans. The underlying technical case for variable aperture remains valid for certain photographic scenarios, but implementation costs, internal space and software integration will determine whether it becomes a meaningful consumer benefit.
Readers should treat the report as a strong indicator of supplier-level activity rather than a confirmed product commitment. Watch for supplier disclosures, Samsung newsroom statements or Apple announcements for definitive confirmation; if the feature does return, expect Samsung to emphasize differentiated camera behavior and to position it within a broader set of sensor and computational changes rather than as a standalone miracle fix.